Hat Fair is taking a break in 2026: what to do instead, and when it returns

Hat Fair, founded in 1974 as a busking festival, is the UK's longest-running festival of outdoor arts and normally takes place on the first weekend of July. The organisers have paused the 2026 event and plan to return in 2027.

If you are planning a summer trip to Winchester next year, it is worth keeping an eye on the festival's announcements. Accommodation for festival weekends tends to go quickly.

In the meantime, there is plenty to enjoy in the city: the Cathedral, the Great Hall and the Round Table, riverside walks along the Itchen, and the independent shops and cafes around the High Street.

Want to be first in line for 2027? Send us an enquiry and we will keep you in mind when dates open up.